Mobile mass decontamination unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a mobile mass decontamination unit for use in nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical (NRBC) accidents for evacuating categorizing and decontaminating victims. According to the invention, the mobile unit comprises a first area (A) in which the victims are undressed, an intermediate wet decontamination area (B) by overhead or handheld shower, and a final area (C) for drying, checking and dressing; said areas being connected by at least one corridor for the able-bodied and one for patients, which unit is characterized in that:—it consists of a transportable mobile container comprising a roof panel, a floor panel, and two gable panels ( 1   c ), which fixed panels define the intermediate wet decontamination area (A),—said container comprising two folding side panels ( 1   e ) which define in the open position in the one case the first or undressing area (A) and in the other case the final or drying, checking and dressing area (C),—with panels ( 1   f ) mounted moveably in said container between a folded position in which they are housed inside said container and an open position in which they connect with the folding side panels ( 1   e ) to enclose the first or undressing area (A) and the final or drying, checking and dressing area (C),—partitions being arranged lengthwise within the internal space defined by said unit when it is in the open position to define the corridors.

An object of the present invention is a mobile mass decontamination unit.

It relates to the technical field of mobile units used in case of nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical (NRBC) accidents, for evacuation, triage and decontamination of the victims. These units are used by military or civilian personnel in order to limit the progression of the contamination of the victims over time.

The mobile mass decontamination units (MDU) must be rapidly installed in an aid area near the disaster site.

Upstream of the MDU, the victims are received by staff who take a census of them and identify them. The victims are then sorted according to whether they are able-bodied or disabled and directed to the MDU for their decontamination.

In a manner known per se, the MDUs comprise different zones traversed by at least one corridor for the able-bodied (possibly one for women and one for men) and a corridor for the disabled.

The MDUs generally comprise:

-   -   a first zone for undressing where the clothing of the victims         are cut off and the personal effects stored in sealed and         identified bags. The disabled victims are placed on stretchers.     -   an intermediate zone for wet decontamination by body shower         where victims are washed with a decontaminant solution. The         disabled victims are cared for by staff who rinse them a         handheld shower.     -   a final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing. Staff dry         victims exiting the decontamination shower, monitor their         contamination rate and, if it is below the authorized limit,         provide them disposable clothing in order to evacuate the area.         The victims still contaminated are redirected to the showers for         a new decontamination.

Known are MDUs is in the form of a tent and whose structure is modular and collapsible for rapid assembly. Such a structure is described for example in the document EP 1,493,886 (UTILIS). Once this structure is installed, it is covered with a flexible tarpaulin isolating the different zones.

The average time to install this type of MDU is about 1 hour 30 minutes and requires at least four or five people, which is relatively long and costly in labor. This installation time may be extended if weather conditions are unfavorable for example in case of wind and/or rain.

It is important that the MDU does not discharge contaminated effluents into the environment from the intermediate zone for wet decontamination.

For this reason, a first reservoir for clean water and a second reservoir wherein is stored the contaminated water from the intermediate zone for decontamination are conventionally arranged at the exterior of the enclosure.

The utilization of these two external reservoirs requires a relatively large free space around the MDU enclosure, which is not always possible depending on the aid site. The space required to install the MDU is all the more important because all the equipment (heating, electric generator, pumping element, . . . ) is laid out at the exterior of the enclosure.

Another disadvantage is that the equipment placed at the exterior of the enclosure is vulnerable to external natural attacks (rainfall, temperature, . . . ) which require specific means of protection.

Given all the disadvantages of the prior art, the main technical problem contemplated to be solved by the invention is to offer a MDU that is easily and rapidly installable at the aid site with minimal staff.

Another object of the present invention is to offer a MDU adapted to effectively suppress the contamination of the environment and requiring only minimal equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to offer a MDU whose installation requires a reduced space while simply maintaining the integrity of the employed equipment.

The solution offered by the invention is a mobile mass decontamination unit comprising a first zone for undressing victims, an intermediate zone for wet decontamination by overhead or handheld shower, a final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing, said zones being traversed by at least one corridor for the able-bodied and a corridor for the disabled, characterized by the fact that:

-   -   said unit is constituted by a transportable mobile container         comprising a portable roof panel, a floor panel and two gable         panels, these so called fixed panels defining the intermediate         zone for wet decontamination,     -   said container comprising two deployable lateral panels         defining, in deployed position, respectively the first zone for         undressing and the final zone for drying, monitoring, and         dressing,     -   additional panels being moveably mounted in said container         between a folded position where they are housed in said         container and a deployed position where they fit together with         the deployable lateral panels to isolate the first zone for         undressing and the final zone for drying, monitoring, and         dressing,     -   partitions being arranged longitudinally in the interior space         defined by said unit when in the deployed position, in order to         define the corridors.

The MDU object of the invention is thus easily transportable to any aid site and, because of the features of its structure, only two persons are required to deploy it in less than thirty minutes.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention to facilitate the design and deployment of the MDU:

-   -   roof and floor panels are pivotably mounted about horizontal         axes fitted on the mobile container, between a folded position         where they are housed in said container and a deployed position         where they fit together with the deployable lateral panels to         form, respectively, the roof and floor of the first zone for         undressing and the final zone for drying, monitoring, and         dressing,     -   gable panels are pivotably mounted about vertical axes fitted on         the container movable between a folded position where they are         housed in said container and a deployed position where they fit         together with the deployable lateral panels to form the gable         walls of the first zone for undressing and the final zone for         drying, monitoring, and dressing.

According to a preferred feature of the invention enabling suppression of the contamination of the environment in a simple manner, the intermediate zone for wet decontamination is fitted with a device for recycling of contaminated effluents.

Advantageously, this device for recycling comprises a pumping element adapted to evacuate the contaminated effluents from the intermediate zone for wet decontamination and reinject them to a supply reservoir, said pumping element being fitted with a filtration module and/or a module for thermal and/or chemical treatment of the effluents.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the interior volume of the different zones is maintained in overpressure relative to the exterior. Thus, the enclosure of the MDU is fully contained, no contaminant agent being able to freely penetrate into the latter. And preferably, the different zones are maintained at different levels of pressure so that the air flows from the final zone, for drying, monitoring, and dressing to the first zone for undressing.

According to an advantageous implementation feature of the invention, the first zone for undressing is fitted with a pressure device designed to maintain a positive pressure gradient between said first zone and the exterior (P_(undressing zone)−P_(exterior)>0). Given this pressure gradient, when a person enters the first zone for undressing, the air flows one-way towards the exterior, which helps to improve the retention of contaminants outside of said first zone.

According to another advantageous implementation feature of the invention, the intermediate zone for wet decontamination is fitted with a pressure device designed to maintain a positive pressure gradient between said intermediate zone and the first zone for undressing (P_(wet decontamination zone)−P_(undressing zone)>0). Given this pressure-gradient, when a person enters the intermediate zone for wet decontamination, the air flows one-way to the zone for undressing, which helps improve the retention of contaminants outside of said intermediate zone.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing is fitted with a pressure device designed to maintain a positive pressure gradient between said final zone and the intermediate zone for wet decontamination (P_(final zone)−P_(wet decontamination zone)>0). Given this pressure gradient, when a person exits the intermediate zone for wet decontamination, the air flows one-way to said zone, which helps improve the retention of contaminants agents outside of the final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing.

According to yet another advantageous feature of the invention enabling reduction of the space required to install the MDU while protecting the employed equipment against external attack, a service module with an electric generator, an air compressor and a device for recycling contaminated effluents is fitted against the mobile container.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the description of a preferred implementation mode which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, made by way of indicative and non limiting examples and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the MDU object of the invention in folded position,

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of the MDU object of the invention in deployed position,

FIG. 2 a is a schematic horizontal sectional view of the MDU object of the invention in folded position,

FIG. 2 b is a schematic horizontal sectional view of MDU object of the invention in deployed position,

FIG. 2 c is a schematic vertical sectional view of the MDU object of the invention in folded position,

FIG. 2 d is a diagrammatic sectional view of the MDU object of the invention in deployed position,

FIG. 3 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of the MDU object of the invention in deployed position showing the layout of different components,

FIG. 4 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of an autoclave module adapted to be fitted with the MDU object of the invention.

The mobile mass decontamination unit (MUD) object of the invention is designed for rapid intervention in areas contaminated by nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical (NRBC), agents either as part of a terrorist attack or an industrial accident and for rapid evacuation, triage and decontamination of victims rapidly.

To achieve the structure of the MDU object of the invention, a mobile portable container is used, that is to say, a container usually employed for transporting equipment or goods and adapted to be fixed temporarily or permanently on the trailer of a truck or on a 4×4 vehicle.

According to the invention, a mobile transportable container, of the type described in Patent FR 2,821,869 (ALSTOM), is used. This type of container is particularly advantageous because, at the time of its transport by vehicle, its footprint is limited to that of a conventional container and when deployed on the ground, it offers a larger available space.

In referring to the accompanying figures, a 20-foot container is used, the 20-foot container comprising a roof panel 1 a, a floor panel 1 b and two gable panels 1 c. These panels define a basic chamber corresponding to the intermediate zone of wet decontamination. Two lateral panels 1 d, advantageously fixed, come to isolate the intermediate zone B of wet decontamination.

In an alternative implementation variation not shown, the two lateral panels 1 d are moveably mounted in the container, between a folded position where they are packed in said container and a deployed position where they isolate off the intermediate zone B. It can include, for example, panels comprising a multitude of vertical hinges enabling them to fold back on themselves.

In another implementation variation not shown, the two lateral panels 1 d are simple walls or removable awnings.

The container according to the invention also comprises two deployable lateral panels 1 e defining, in deployed position, respectively, the first undressing zone A and the final zone C, for drying, monitoring, and dressing.

When the lateral panels 1 e are in folded position (FIGS. 1 a, 2 a and 2 c), the footprint of the container is limited to the footprint of the intermediate zone B. When the lateral panels 1 e are in deployed position (FIGS. 1 b, 2 b and 2 d), the footprint of the container is increased by the footprint of the two zones A and C to have a total usable area of approximately 30 m².

Doors 2 enable entering into the first zone A and exiting from the final zone C.

According to a preferred implementation mode shown in FIG. 1 b, the two lateral panels 1 e are mounted mobile in horizontal translation by means of guide means 4. The guide means employed can be guide bars attached to the lateral panels 1 e and sliding in raceways arranged at the roof panel 1 a and/or the floor panel 1 b. Any other equivalent guide means can be employed.

The deployment of the lateral panels 1 e can be carried out manually, but the guide means 4 are advantageously coupled to a motorization of known type.

Once the lateral panels 1 e are in deployed position, closure means are provided to isolate the zones A and C.

In referring to FIGS. 2 b and 2 d, panels are moveably mounted in the container between a folded position where they are housed in said container and a deployed position where they fit together with the deployable lateral panels 1 e to isolate the first zone A and final zone C.

To form the gable walls of zones A and C, preferentially gable panels 1 f moveably mounted in the container are used, between a folded position where they are packed in said container (FIG. 2 a) and a deployed position where they isolate said zones when the said panels 1 e are themselves deployed (FIG. 2 b).

According to a preferred implementation example, the gable panels 1 f are pivotably mounted about vertical axes 10 f fitted on the mobile container.

In referring more specifically to FIGS. 2 c and 2 d, to form the roof and the floor of the zones A and C, roof panels 1 g and floor panels 1 h mounted mobile in the container are preferentially used, between a folded position where they are packed in said container (FIG. 2 c) and a deployed position where they isolate said zones when the lateral panels 1 e themselves are deployed (FIG. 2 c).

According to a preferred implementation example, roof 1 g and floor 1 h panels are pivotably mounted about horizontal axes, respectively 10 g and 10 h, fitted on the mobile container.

In referring to FIGS. 2 a and 2 c, when the lateral panels 1 d are integrated with the structure of the mobile container, they define with the mobile lateral panels 1 e a space wherein gable panels 1 f, roof panels 1 g and floor panels 1 h can be packed.

The deployment of the container is then carried out very rapidly: after having deployed the two lateral panels 1 e, it suffices to rotate about their respective axis roof panels 1 g and floor panels 1 h, then the gable panels 1 f, a device for maintaining various panels in position being provided.

The first zone A for undressing victims, the intermediate zone B for wet decontamination and the final zone C for drying, monitoring, and dressing, are traversed by at least a corridor for the able-bodied and a corridor for the disabled forming distinct decontamination chains.

According to a particular implementation mode shown in FIG. 3, the MDU comprises a corridor for the disabled A1-B1-C1 and two corridors for the able-bodied A2-B2-C2 and A3-B3-C3 dedicated to women and men respectively.

In referring to FIG. 3, partitions 1 i are longitudinally arranged in the enclosure of the MDU order to delineate the corridors. The partitions 1 i are preferably made of rigid panels that are installed after having deployed the various panels constituting the MDU.

In an alternative implementation mode, rigid panels moveably mounted in the container may be provided, between a folded position where they are packed in said container and a deployed position where they isolate the lanes A1-B1-C1, A2-B2-C2 and A3-B3-C3. It can include, for example, panels comprising a multitude of vertical hinges enabling to fold them back on themselves.

In another implementation variation, the partitions 1 i are simple tarpaulins stretched across the different zones A, B and C of the MDU.

According to a preferred implementation feature of the invention, the various panels constituting the MDU panels are smooth panels decontaminable at will due to their structure adapted to a NRBC treatment.

Upon entering the first zone A for undressing, the staff cuts off the clothing of victims and stores their belongings in sealed and identified bags. Absorbent products are applied on the bodies of victims. The disabled victims are placed on stretchers.

Armatures 30 enabling easy movement of the stretchers are advantageously arranged in the corridor Al-B1-C1 for the disabled.

Doors 2 b enable access to the intermediate zone B for wet decontamination. This zone comprises a series of showers 20 where the victims are washed with a decontamination solution. The disabled victims are cared for by staff who wash them using handheld shower.

A warning means of the audible or visual or indicator type is provided to indicate to a person present in the first zone A authorization to enter into the intermediate zone B. In practice, while a person is in the intermediate zone B, the entry clearance into this zone is not granted. This measure enables avoidance of the spread of pathogens within the enclosure of the MDU.

Doors 2 c enable access to the final zone C for drying, monitoring, and dressing. The staff dry victims exiting the intermediate zone B monitor their rate of contamination and, if it is below the authorized limit, provide them with disposable clothing before letting them leave or evacuating them to a hospital center. The victims still contaminated are redirected to the showers 20 for a new wet decontamination.

As seen previously, a warning means of the audible or visual indicator type is provided to indicate to a person present in the intermediate zone B authorization to enter into the final zone C. In practice, while a person is in the final zone C, the entry clearance in this zone is not granted.

According to the invention, a device for decontamination of effluents is provided to avoid any leaching of contaminants into the environment.

Solid waste (consumables, clothing, . . . ) are decontaminated using autoclaves or incinerators located in the different zones A, B and C.

In referring to FIG. 4, an independent autoclave module 300 can also be employed, fitting against the structure of the MDU and comprising a device adapted to make the enclosure of said module communicate with the enclosure of said MDU.

In practice, the autoclave module 300 is a 10 feet transportable container comprising an autoclave 301. A tray 302 is mounted to move between the autoclave 301 and the enclosure of the MDU. Orifices, opposing each other and sealed, are provided on the structure of the module 300 and on one of the panels of the MDU to enable this communication. To decontaminate clothing, samples or any other contaminated material, it is sufficient that for the staff within the enclosure of the MDU position said material on the shelf 302 and push it toward the interior of the autoclave 301. The autoclave 301 is then started and, after treatment, the material is recovered by means of a hatch 303.

The enclosure of the autoclave module 300 is fitted with a pressure device 304 adapted to maintain a positive pressure relative to the exterior (P_(enclosure)−P_(exterior)>0). This pressure gradient prevents contaminant agents from entering into the enclosure of the module 300. The latter is only accessible by a sealed airlock 305.

A recycling device is provided for treatment of contaminated effluent from the intermediate zone B.

In referring to FIG. 3, the recycling device comprises a pumping element 100 adapted to draw contaminated effluents from the intermediate zone B.

The effluents thus pumped are injected into a filtration module 101, preferentially of the reverse osmosis type, adapted to separate the contaminant agents of said effluents. Depending on the nature of the contaminant agents to be treated, it may be necessary employ a module for thermal and/or chemical treatment of the effluents, alone or in combination with the filtration module 101. The thermal treatment can include heating of the effluents from 60° C. to 90° C. and the chemical treatment with the use of chemical agents of the Sanytex® type.

At the outlet of the filtration module 101, the treated effluents are reinjected into a clean water reservoir 102 of the flexible tank type. A pump 103 is provided to convey the clean water contained in the reservoir 102 towards the showers 20. The pump 103 is possibly coupled to a water heater.

These different means enable implementation of a closed circuit for supplying shower water and the treatment of contaminated effluents so that a single tank is necessary for the proper functioning of the MDU.

The interior volume of the different zones A, B and C is maintained in overpressure relative to the exterior so that no contaminant agent can enter freely into the MDU object of the invention.

Preferably, the different zones are maintained at different levels of pressure so that air flows from the final zone C to the first zone A.

In referring to FIG. 3, the first zone A for undressing is advantageously fitted with a pressure device 200, of the air compressor type, designed to maintain a positive pressure gradient between said first zone A and the exterior (P_(zone A)−P_(exterior)>0). Given this pressure gradient, when a person enters the first zone A, the air flows one-way towards the exterior, which helps to improve the retention of contaminant agents outside of said first zone.

In practice, the first zone A is maintained at a pressure between 0 Pa and +2 Pa.

Equivalently, the intermediate zone for wet decontamination is advantageously fitted with the pressure device 200, of the air compressor type, designed to maintain a positive pressure gradient between said intermediate zone B and the first zone A for undressing dressing (P_(zone B)−P_(zone A)>0). Given this pressure gradient, when a person enters the intermediate zone B, the air flows one-way toward the first zone A, which helps improve the retention of contaminant agents outside of said intermediate zone.

In practice, the intermediate zone B is maintained at a positive pressure between +2 Pa and +5 Pa.

Similarly, the final zone C is advantageously fitted with the pressure device 200 so as to maintain a positive pressure gradient between the final zone C and the intermediate zone B (P_(zone C)−P_(zone B)>0). Given this pressure gradient, when a person exits the intermediate zone B, the air flows one-way toward that zone, which helps to improve the retention of contaminant agents outside of the end zone C.

In practice, the final C zone is maintained at a positive pressure between +3 Pa and +6 Pa.

To ensure maintenance under effective pressure of the different zones of the MDU, a sealing system is provided by gaskets between the different panels constituting said MDU and at different doors. The system of sealing by gaskets employed is of the type known to the person skilled in the art.

Advantageously, the different zones of the MDUs are air conditioned in order to maintain a constant temperature in said zones.

In order to protect the employed equipment against external attacks (rain, wind, . . . ), a service module provides electricity, water and air to the MDU object of the invention. The combination of the MDU and the service module constitutes a mobile unit operating autonomously and can easily be deployed near the disaster site.

In practice, this service module is equipped with an electric generator, for the pressure device 200 and the device for recycling contaminated effluents described previously.

It is fitted to the mobile container, temporarily or permanently, at gable panels 1 c of the mobile container. A door is provided to access the interior of the module in case of maintenance and/or the start up of different devices.

According to an advantageous implementation mode of the invention, an external interface is arranged at the gable panel 1 c of the mobile container to be able to rapidly and easily connect said MDU to said service module.

The interface comprises means for connecting to the electric generator, to the pressure device 200 and to the device for recycling contaminated effluents, of the rapid couplers type known to the person skilled in the art. The connection between the service module and the MDU is thus achieved rapidly. 

1. A mobile mass decontamination unit comprising a first zone for undressing victims, an intermediate zone for wet decontamination by overhead or handheld shower, a final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing, said zones being traversed by a corridor for the able-bodied and a corridor for the disabled, characterized by the fact that: said unit is constituted by a transportable mobile container comprising a portable roof panel, a floor panel, two gable panels, these so called fixed panels defining the intermediate zone for wet decontamination, said container comprising two deployable lateral panels defining, in deployed position, respectively the first zone for undressing an the final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing, panels being moveably mounted in said container between a folded position where they are housed in said container and a deployed position where they fit together with the deployable lateral panels to isolate the first zone for undressing and the final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing, partitions being arranged longitudinally in the interior space defined by said unit when in the deployed position, in order to define the corridors.
 2. A mobile unit according to claim 1 wherein: roof and floor panels are pivotably mounted about horizontal axes fitted on the mobile container, between a folded position where they are housed in said container and a deployed position where they fit together with the deployable lateral panels to from, respectively, the roof and floor of the first zone for undressing and the final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing, gable panels are pivotably mounted about vertical axes fitted on the container movable between a folded position where they are housed in said container and a deployed position where they fit together with the deployable lateral panels to form the gable walls of the first zone for undressing and the final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing.
 3. A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the various panels constituting said unit are smooth panels decontaminable at will due to their structure adapted to a NRBC treatment.
 4. A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate zone for wet decontamination is fitted with a device for recycling of contaminated effluents.
 5. A mobile unit according to claim 4, wherein the device for recycling comprises a pumping element adapted to evacuate the contaminated effluents from the intermediate zone for wet decontamination and reinject them to a supply reservoir, said pumping element being fitted with a filtration module and/or a module for thermal and/or chemical treatment of the effluents.
 6. A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the interior volume of the different zones is maintained in overpressure relative to the exterior.
 7. A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the different zones are maintained at different levels of pressure so that the air flows from the final zone, for drying, monitoring, and dressing to the first zone for undressing.
 8. A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the first zone for undressing is fitted with a pressure device designed to maintain a positive pressure gradient between said first zone and the exterior (P_(undressing zone)−P_(exterior)>0).
 9. A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate zone for wet decontamination is fitted with a pressure device designed to maintain a positive pressure gradient between the first zone for undressing and said intermediate zone (P_(wet decontamination zone)−P_(undressing zone)>0).
 10. A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the final zone for drying, monitoring, and dressing is fitted with a pressure device to maintain a positive pressure gradient between the intermediate zone for wet decontamination and the final zone (P_(final zone)−P_(wet decontamination zone)>0).
 11. A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein a service module equipped with an electric generator, pressure device and a device for recycling contaminated effluents is fitted to the mobile container.
 12. A mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein an independent autoclave module is fitted to the structure of said unit, said module comprising a device adapted to make the enclosure of said module communicate with the enclosure of said unit. 